Sinn Féin has brought forward legislation that speaks directly to the electricity price hikes facing ordinary workers and families across the State. This Government continues to sit on its hands and act as a spectator while people struggle to pay their bills, pensioners sit in cold homes and young families are forced to choose between heating their homes or putting food on the table. The reality on the ground is that ordinary working people are struggling. Ireland now has the highest electricity prices in the EU. Families across the State are being hammered month after month with rip-off electricity prices. Small businesses are under serious pressure. Workers are doing everything right, yet they are falling further behind because Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed to act. People are sick and tired of excuses. They are sick and tired of hearing Ministers talk about international markets while ordinary households are pushed to breaking point. The truth is that this Government has allowed energy companies to rake in enormous profits at the expense of working people and families. Sinn Féin's legislation seeks to finally bring fairness and accountability into the energy market. It seeks to strengthen the powers of the regulator, rein in excessive electricity price hikes and ensure greater transparency from energy companies on how prices are set. It also seeks to protect consumers from being repeatedly hit with unjustified increases while energy companies continue to rake in massive profits. For too long, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have looked after vested interests instead of protecting ordinary people. They have been reactive instead of proactive. Every single week, I meet families who are worried about the next electricity bill arriving through the door. Parents have told me that they are skipping meals to keep the lights on. Elderly people are rationing heat all year round. This is the reality of this Government's failure. Government TDs now have a choice. They can continue to look after their friends and vested interests or they can stand with ordinary working people, young families and pensioners. I urge every TD in this House to support Sinn Féin's legislation and provide relief to those who are struggling the most.

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